SSAA 4A Runners-up for Varsity Boys Basketball

The varsity boys basketball team recently traveled to AdventHealth Fieldhouse & Conference Center in Winter Haven to take part in the 2-day SSAA Class 4A Tournament. In the Playoffs on 1/17/25, the Pirates took on St. Petersburg Catholic High School. The Pirates demolished the Barons on the court 67-53 to move on to the Championship. Cody Simmonds led the Pirates into battle with 24 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks. Gary Anderson netted 12 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, 4 steals, and 7 blocks. Cole Register collected 9 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals; and Daniel Clemente tallied 9 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 blocks. Additional stats for the Pirate team: Kaleb Jones - 5 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals; Wyatt Burdick - 4 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 blocks; Carson Yates - 4 points, 5 rebounds, 1assist; Rushil Sura - 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal.

In the Championship game on 1/18/25, the Pirates went head-to-head against Lighthouse Private Christian Academy. The determined Pirates worked hard on the court but narrowly fell in the thrilling game to the Stingrays 65-67. Simmonds led the Pirate scorers with 21 points and also collected 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. Anderson proved a force to be reckoned with on the court, collecting 14 points and 2 steals and leading the team in rebounds with 15, assists with 6, and blocks with 10. Register recorded 8 points, 1 rebound, and 2 steals for the Pirates, and teammate Burdick grabbed 8 points and 1 block. Additional Pirate gameday stats: Clemente - 5 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal; Yates - 4 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal; Jones - 3 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists, 1 steal; Sura - 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal.